“Mental Illness” Symptoms as Extensions of Strategic Social Behaviour: The Case of Multicultural Mental Health
Abstract
To better analyse transcultural mental health issues, a model of
social relationships is presented that allows more complex formulations
of the differences between some western social strategies and those of
non-western, or collectivist groups. This requires more lengthy and
detailed observations of clients and their communities whether or not
the particular version of analysis presented here is accepted. An
example is given of low self-efficacy in depression and how different
contexts can lead to similar-looking symptoms but through very different
forms of social relationships. Two case studies are presented of
‘mental’ health issues with Somali women and how ‘individual’ treatments
could be conceptualised as changes made in the community. In the first
case some of the western treatments were successful in the short-term,
while in the second case non-western treatments worked and western help
was eschewed. We conclude that assessments and treatments for ‘mental’
ill-health will only be as good as the social analyses made, and more
detailed analyses are needed regardless of one’s perspectives when
dealing with transcultural groups.
Keywords
mental health; cultural; refugees; communities; depression.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário